City Council Meeting Minutes

January 3, 2012

CALL TO ORDER: City Council convened in a Reorganization meeting on January 3, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. in Council Chambers, 1 Marketway West, 3rd Floor, York, PA, with the following Council members present: Joanne Borders, Michael Ray Helfrich, Renee S. Nelson, Henry Hay Nixon, and Carol Hill-Evans, President, with Councilwoman Hill-Evans presiding.

Members of the Administration in attendance included: Kevin Schreiber, Director of Economic and Community Development, and Cherie Alwine, Finance Director. Also present was Assistant Solicitor Mark Elion.

Members of York City Council staff in attendance included: Dianna L. Thompson, City Clerk.

Pledge of Allegiance: The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Approval of Minutes: Council dispensed with the reading of the Minutes of December 20, 2011 and unanimously approved them as written.

CERTIFICATES OF ELECTION

The following Certificates of Election were received, found to be in order, and duly filed with the Minutes of this meeting:

·Carol Hill-Evans to the Office of City Council for a term of four years beginning the first Monday of January 2012.

·Joanne Borders to the Office of City Council for a term of four years beginning the first Monday of January 2012.

·Michael Ray Helfrich to the Office of City Council for a term of four years beginning the first Monday of January 2012.

·Karin Krebs to the Office of City Treasurer for a term of four years beginning the first Monday of January 2012.

·Robert F. Lambert to the Office of City Controller for a term of four years beginning the first Monday of January 2012.

City Clerk Dianna L. Thompson administered the Oath of Office to Councilwoman Carol Hill-Evans, Councilwoman Joanne Borders and Councilman Michael Ray Helfrich. (Note: The Oath of Office was administered to City Treasurer Karin Krebs and City Controller Robert F. Lambert earlier in the day on January 3, 2012.)

Councilwoman Carol Hill-Evans then recessed at 6:07 p.m. to allow for congratulations and taking of photos. The meeting was reconvened at 6:20 p.m.

COMMITTEE MEETINGS SCHEDULED: None

STATUS OF PRIOR COMMITTEE REFERRALS: No reports.

REORGANIZATION

Resolution No. 1, Session 2012, (View) A Resolution waiving the provisions of “Rule No. 2 – Adoption” of the Rules & Procedures of Council to allow newly elected Council members to review said rules and propose amendments and/or recommendations, was introduced by Hill-Evans, read at length, and on motion of Hill-Evans, seconded by Nixon, Resolution No. 1 passed by the following vote: Yeas – Helfrich, Nixon, Borders, Nelson, Hill-Evans – 5; Nays - 0.

Resolution No. 2, Session 2012, (View) A Resolution appointing a Council President, was introduced by Nelson, read at length, and on motion of Nelson, seconded by Borders, Resolution No. 2 came up for discussion.

A nomination was made by Nixon, seconded by Borders, to appoint Carol Hill-Evans as the President of Council to serve in said capacity until the first Monday of January 2014. The motion passed by the following vote: Yeas – Helfrich, Nixon, Borders, Nelson, Hill-Evans – 5; Nays – 0.

Resolution No. 3, Session 2012, (View) A Resolution appointing a Council Vice President was introduced by Nelson, read at length, and on motion of Nelson, seconded by Hill-Evans, Resolution No. 3 came up for discussion.

A nomination was made by Helfrich, seconded by Borders to appoint Henry Hay Nixon as the Vice President of Council to serve in said capacity until the first Monday of January 2014. The motion passed by the following vote: Yeas – Helfrich, Nixon, Borders, Nelson, Hill-Evans – 5; Nays – 0.

Resolution No. 5, Session 2012, (View) A Resolution establishing seating order around the Council table was introduced by Hill-Evans, read at length, and on motion of Hill-Evans, seconded by Nixon, Resolution No. 5 passed by the following vote: Yeas – Helfrich, Nixon, Borders, Nelson, Hill-Evans – 5; Nays – 0.

Resolution No. 6, Session 2012, (View) A Resolution merging the Economic Development Committee and the Community Development Committee to create the “Economic & Community Development Committee,” was introduced by Hill-Evans, read at length, and on motion of Hill-Evans, seconded by Nelson, Resolution No. 6 passed by the following vote: Yeas – Helfrich, Nixon, Borders, Nelson, Hill-Evans – 5; Nays – 0.

Resolution No. 11, Session 2012, (View) A Resolution appointing a Council liaison to the Officers' and Employees' Retirement Board was introduced by Nixon, read at length, and on motion of Nixon, seconded by Nelson, Resolution No. 11 came up for discussion.

A nomination was made by Hill-Evans, seconded by Nixon, to appoint Joanne Borders as Council's liaison to the Officers' and Employees' Retirement Board to serve in said capacity until the first Monday of January 2014. The motion passed by the following vote: Yeas – Helfrich, Nixon, Borders, Nelson, Hill-Evans – 5; Nays – 0.

Resolution No. 12, Session 2012, (View) A Resolution appointing a Council liaison to the York County Board of Commissioners was introduced by Nelson, read at length, and on motion of Nelson, seconded by Nixon, Resolution No. 12 came up for discussion.

A nomination was made by Helfrich, seconded by Nixon, to appoint Council President Carol Hill-Evans as Council's liaison to the York County Board of Commissioners to serve in said capacity until the first Monday of January 2014. The motion passed by the following vote: Yeas – Helfrich, Nixon, Borders, Nelson, Hill-Evans – 5; Nays – 0.

Therefore, Resolution No. 12 appointing Council President Carol Hill-Evans as Council's liaison to the York County Board of Commissioners passed by the following vote: Yeas – Helfrich, Nixon, Borders, Nelson, Hill-Evans – 5; Nays – 0.

Resolution No. 13, Session 2012, (View) A Resolution appointing a Council liaison to the City/School District Cooperation & Open Communications Committee was introduced by Nelson, read at length, and on motion of Nelson, seconded by Nixon, Resolution No. 13 came up for discussion.

A nomination was made by Hill-Evans, seconded by Nixon, to appoint Councilwoman Renee S. Nelson as Council's liaison to the City/School District Cooperation & Open Communications Committee to serve in said capacity until the first Monday of January 2014. The motion passed by the following vote: Yeas – Helfrich, Nixon, Borders, Nelson, Hill-Evans – 5; Nays – 0.

Resolution No. 14, Session 2012, (View) A Resolution appointing a Council liaison to the Community Progress Council Board of Directors was introduced by Hill-Evans, read at length, and on motion of Hill-Evans, seconded by Nelson, Resolution No. 14 came up for discussion.

A nomination was made by Borders, seconded by Helfrich, to appoint Councilman Henry Hay Nixon as Council's liaison to the Community Progress Council Board of Directors to serve in said capacity until the first Monday of January 2014. The motion passed by the following vote: Yeas – Helfrich, Nixon, Borders, Nelson, Hill-Evans – 5; Nays – 0.

Resolution No. 15, Session 2012, (View) A Resolution appointing a Council liaison to the Vacant Property Review Committee was introduced by Hill-Evans, read at length, and on motion of Hill-Evans, seconded by Nelson, Resolution No. 15 came up for discussion.

A nomination was made by Borders, seconded by Nixon, to appoint Councilman Michael Ray Helfrich as Council's liaison to the Vacant Property Review Committee to serve in said capacity until the first Monday of January 2014. The motion passed by the following vote: Yeas – Helfrich, Nixon, Borders, Nelson, Hill-Evans – 5; Nays – 0.

Resolution No. 16, Session 2012, (View) A Resolution accepting the recommendations of HARB in issuing a certificate of appropriateness to Hope 4U Properties, LLC, for work to be done at 423 Lindberg Ave., was introduced by Hill-Evans, read at length, and on motion of Hill-Evans, seconded by Nixon, Resolution No. 16 passed by the following vote: Yeas – Helfrich, Nixon, Borders, Nelson, Hill-Evans – 5; Nays – 0.

Resolution No. 17, session 2012, (View) A Resolution authorizing the City of York to accept a deed of property known as 705 E. Chestnut St., was introduced by Nixon, read at length, and on motion of Nixon, seconded by Borders, Resolution No. 17 passed by the following vote: Yeas – Helfrich, Nixon, Borders, Nelson, Hill-Evans – 5; Nays – 0.

Resolution No. 18, Session 2012, (View) A Resolution Conveying 705 E. Chestnut St. from the City of York to the York City Redevelopment Authority was introduced by Nixon, read at length, and on motion of Nixon, seconded by Borders, Resolution No. 18 passed by the following vote: Yeas – Helfrich, Nixon, Borders, Nelson, Hill-Evans – 5; Nays – 0.

Realty Transfer Tax: (View)Bill No. 45 of 2011 was pulled from the agenda at the request of Mayor C. Kim Bracey to allow for further discussions between the City of York Administration and the York City School District Board of Directors.

APPENDED AGENDA

Resolution No. 19, Session 2012, (View) A Resolution approving the 2012 Tax and Revenue Anticipation Note in the amount of $9,480,000.00, was introduced by Hill-Evans, read by short title, and on motion of Hill-Evans, seconded by Nixon, Resolution No. 19 came up for discussion.

Manuel Gomez, resident, asked what the interest rate is on this borrowing. Councilman Helfrich responded that the interest rate is 4.8% and explained that the city borrows this money until the bulk of tax revenue is received. He said this borrowing is necessary because of the city's existing deficit and that these funds will allow us to pay bills without running out of money.

Council President Hill-Evans thanked Council for their support and said she looks forward to being the strong, unified Council our constituents expect us to be.

Councilwoman Borders thanked everyone for their support as well and said she looks forward to serving her community.

Councilman Helfrich also thanked everyone for their support and said we need residents to attend Council meetings and share their thoughts, ideas and concerns. He said we need your creative genius to help establish a prosperous York community.

ADMINISTRATION COMMENT: None

NEXT MEETING: The next regular meeting of City Council is scheduled for Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. (Public Comment commences at 6:30 p.m.) in City Council Chambers, 1 Marketway West, 3rd Floor, York, PA.

ADJOURNMENT: There being no further business, the January 3, 2012 meeting of Council adjourned at 6:38 p.m.